Ripple-free phase sensitive rectifier



Oct. 23, 1951 R. F. WILD RIPPLE-FREE PHASE SENSITIVE RECTIFIER r 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed June 29, 1949 INVENTOR.

RUDOLF F.W|LD BY 9 Z a FIG. 5

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 23, 1951 R. F. WILD 2,572,794

RIPPLE-FREE PHASE SENSITIVE RECTIFIER Fil ed June 29, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 F|G.2 F|G.3 F|G.4

' 9 y o o OF L I o I n,

o o oo o o c ---o o- 0 o- I o INVENTOR. RUDOLF F. WILD ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 23, 1951 RIPPLE-FREE PHASE SENSITIVE RECTIFIER Rudolf F. Wild, Wilmington, Del., assignor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company; -Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of'Delaware Application June 29, 1949, Serial No. 101,974

The general object of the present invention is to provide an improved electronic rectifier of the phase sensitive type in which the relative polarities of the rectifier output terminals depend on whether the alternating current rectified is of one phase or of the opposite phase.

The present invention was primarily devised and is Well adapted for use in a measuring and control apparatus or system of the known type in which a minute D. C. voltage is converted into an alternating current voltage, amplified in a multistage electronic amplifier, and then reconverted into direct current, which may be measured or utilized for control purposes. The reconversion is effected by means of a phase sensitive rectifier which forms the final or output section of the conversion amplifying and reconversion system. It is known that, in such a system, a degenerative direct current signal suitably fed back from the rectifier output into the amplifier contributes to stability of operation of the system. The effectiveness of such feed back is impaired, however, by time lags in the phase sensitive rectifier output and feed back currents.

The primary object of the invention is to eliminate or reduce ripple voltage from the degenerative signal fed back into the amplifier from the rectifier output circuit, while at the same time avoiding the time lags in the feed back inherent in the use of filters heretofore customarily employed to minimize such voltage ripple.

The various features of novelty which characterize this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, its advantages and specific objects obtained with its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which are illus trated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an undesirable operating condition avoided by the use of the present invention;

Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating operating conditions in the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate different modifications of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, a phase sensitive. electronic rectifier A is provided with one form of my novel means for 4 Claims. (Cl. 250-27) eliminating or reducing voltage ripple in the output of the rectifier. The rectifier A comprises a pair of rectifier valves a and b, and two associ. ated ripple eliminating valves 0 and d. Thef valves a, b, c, and, dare similar valveshaving'j control grids, and in practice each of said valves may well be one-half of a valve of the co w mercially available 7N7 type.

The rectifier is energized by a transformer 3' having a primary winding l adapted to be com,

nected to a source of alternating current of commercial voltage and frequency: for example, 115.

volts and cycles per second. A secondary winding'z of the transformer B has end terminals 3 and 4 connected to the anodes of the valves a and b, respectively, and has a center tap terminal conductor 5. The latter is connected at the point r to the connected ends of cathode resistors m and 0 through which the conductor 5 is connected to the cathodes of the valves a and b, respectively, The points of connection of the resistors m and 0 to the cathodes of the valves a and b are designated s and t, respectively. The points is shown grids. Said signal is of the same frequency as the current supplied by the winding 2 to the anodes of n the valves a and b, and is either of the same phase as the current supplied through the terminal 3 to the anode of the valve a, or is of the opposite phase: i.'e., of'the same phase as the current supplied through transformer terminal 4 to the anode of the valve b. Whether said signal is of said one phase or of the opposite phase depends on an operating condition as is hereinafter explained. The control grids of valves 0. and b are shown as connected through a grid resistor I to the conductor 5, and thereby through the cathode resistors m and o to the cathodes of the valves or and b, respectively. The control grids of the. valves a and b are also connected to ground through the condenser. 8. i

The anode of the valve c is connected through i a conductor 9 to the transformer terminal 4,: and hence, to the anode of the valve b. The cathode; of the valve 0, is connected to the cathode of the valve 06 and to the grounded point s. The anode of the valve d is connected by a conductor 9' to the transformer terminal 3 and thereby to the anodeof the valve a. The cathode of the valve d I is connected to the cathode of the valve b at the point t. The resistors m and thus serve as cathode resistors for the valves 0 and d, as well as for the valves a and b. The control grids of the valves 0 and d are each connected through a resistor H] to the point r and thereby through the respective cathode resistors m and o to the cathodes of the valves 0 and (1, respectively. a

The phase sensitive rectifier A is well adapted for use, and' was devised primarily for use, in a measuring or control system of the type in which a minute direct current signal is converted into alternating current and is then amplified to provide a signal. That signal, after its amplification, may bereconverte'd mica direct current signal of a mangitude greater than, unpreportional to the magnitude of, the original di rect current signal, and which-isof onepolarity, or of the opposite polarity depending on the direction of fiow of the original direct current signal. As shown in Fig. 1, the device A serves as" the phase sensitive rectifier section of a" sys-' teniofthe characterjust' described; in'which theamplified alternating current signal impressed on the deviceA through thecoiipling condenser" 6 z-liithe'conventional formillustrated, the rectifiedoutput' signal of the'device'A is impressed on a measuring or' control instrument 0 shown as having one terminal directly connected through a conductor H to the point t, and having'its second terminal connected through a conductor l2 and resistors 13''; M, and to the point s. As shown, the resistor I4' is a variable resistor connected in'series' with the fixed resistor l'fi'between the conductor 12 and'thegrounding conductor yr. The resistor I3 is connected inparallel'with' the series connected resistors 14' and I5.

The meansfor developing and amplifying the signal impressed on the device A through the coupling condenser ii'comprisesa conversion apparatus, including acurren't interrupter or vibrator'D and a transformer'E, first andsecond stage electronic amplifiersl and G, and a rectifier H which supplies anode voltage to the amplifier valves F and G. The valves F,G,, and H may well be of the commercially available 7E7 type. The'dir'ect current signalto beamplifiedis transmitted' to the conversion apparatus through inputp'conductors' l6 and H from the source of any such signal which it"is desiredto measure. Said'source, for example, maybe'a direct current bridge in which the output current 'is' reversed from time to time as a; result of changes in operating' conditions. Asshown'the input conductor l Gis connected directly' to the grounded conductorgr, and the latter is connectedthrough the resistors l3, l4; and i5 and a" conductor l8 to the junction of two coils or windings' 19' and 20. Those coils collectively form'the primary winding of the transformer E; The free end terminal of the winding l9*is connected-to a stationary vibrator contact- 2-l, and the free end terminal of the winding 20' is connected to another stationary' vibrator contact 22: The contacts 2 and 22 are'alternatel'y engaged by a polarized vibrating contact or" reed 23; The vibration frequencyof-the reed 23 i's'th-e' same as the frequency 'of the current flow in the primary winding l of'theenergizingtransformerB.- Tl einput I terminal I! is connected to the reed 23. and the latter is'vibrated-wi'th thedescribed frequency bya vibrator coil 24 having-its 'ter-" minals' connected to the terminals of a secondary winding 25 of ;the"tranfsforiner B byco'nductcr's only partially shown' in the drawings;

The transformer B has a third secondary winding 26. The latter has one terminal grounded, and has its second terminal connected to the anode of the rectifier valve H. The latter is shown as a triode, but has its control grid connected to its cathode for operation of the valve as a diode. The secondary winding of the transformer E has one terminal connected to the grounded conductor yr, and has its second terminal connected to the control grid of the valve F. The valves F and G have their cathodes connected to the grounded conductor gr through suitable cathode bias means, and have their anodes connected through suitable anode resistors a'rid'filter meanswthe cathode of the rectifier H.

The output circuit of the valve F is coupled to the input'circ-ui-t: of the valve G, and the output circuit of the latter is connected by the coupling condenser 6 to the control grids of the valves a and b of the rectifier A.

As will be apparent rro'nri' Fig. 1, the conductor l8 forms part of a feedback circuit through" which a degenerative direct current voltage signal is fed back from thepoint t of the phase sensitive rectifier A to the junction point of the windings i9 and Zil of the transformer E; The

tion to the direct current signal impressed on the input terminals Hi' and H, and thusreduce's the magnitude of the resultant'sig'nal which is converted into an alternating current signal and amplified. Further description of the apparatus shown in Fig. lf'or converting a directcurrent signal into alternatingjcurrent of a predetermine'd'frequency, and of a phase selectively dependent on the direction of flow of the'direc't current signai, isunnecessary, as apparatus for the purpose is well known, and one widely used form thereof is disclosed; for example, in the Wills'Patent'2',423,54z0j of July 8, 1947'.

As'has been made apparent. my invention disclosed herein consists in'combini'ng the valves 0 and d with the'valves'fa'a'ndb, in the general manner illustrated in one form in Fig. 1, and in modified forms in Figs. 5 and 6; to eliminate or reduce ripple voltage'f'in theoutput' circuts of'the valves aand'b and, hence, in the feedback circuit including the conductor 1'8. Unless the tendency to the production of such ripple voltage is suitably curbed apparatus of the type shown in Figrllwi'll be incapable of producin compensated for, bythe use of conventional filter means, usually in the form of a Qondenserinshunt with the resistor m and a second-- condenser in shunt with the resistor 0: The-use of such filter condensers is open to the objectiom-however, that t plain the formation of ripplevoltage betweenothe" points 5 and t of the apparatus shown in Fig. l

which would be produced if the valves o and d we're-' not operativelyi connected tothe valves a a. n @fi 49% decrease: lim ati T 78" reducing the --ripple 'tendency were provided; The" curves shown in Fig. 2 are based on the assumption that no signal is being impressed on the valves a and b, so that the voltage signal curve e; is shown in Fig. 2 as a straight line at the zero voltage level. With no signal impressed on the grids of the valves a and b, the valve a will be conductive during each half cycle in which the transformer winding 2 makes the anodeof the valve a positive relative to the cathode of that valve. The current flow through the valve a then produced is represented in Fig. 2 by the curve in. Under the assumed conditions, the valve b is also conductive during each half cycle in'which its anode is positive relative to its cathode, and the current flow through the valve b is represented in Fig. 2 by the curve is. In Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3, plus and minus current values, shown by current curve points, are respectively indicated by the distances of those points above and below the corresponding base or zero line oo. Similarly, in the voltage curves shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, positive and negative voltage values, at points on said curves, are respectively indicated by the distances of said points above and below the corresponding base or zero line oo.

On the foregoing assumptions, the flow of the current ia through the cathode resistor m creates a potential drop in that resistor which lowers the potential at the point 1' relative to the potential at the point 8, and is represented in Fig. 2 by a curve portion em. The current flow through the resistor 0, during each half cycle in which the valve b is conductive, increases the potential of the point t relative to the potential of the point r, and is represented in Fig. 2 by the curve portion ea. As the lowermost curve emeo of Fig. 2 indicates, the current flowing alternately through the valves a and b, when the latter are not associated with ripple voltage compensating or reducing devices, and no signal is being impressed on the grids of said valves, produce a substantially pure sinusoidal voltage between the point s and t. The fundamental frequency of that sinusoidal voltage is the same as the voltage eg: i. e., 60 cycles per second.

In Fig. 3, the top curve e represents an alternating current voltage signal assumed to be imposed on the grids of the valves a and b through the coupling condenser 6, and the subjacent curves ia, id, it, and to represent the currents flowing through the anode circuits of the valves a, d, b, and 0, when those valves are respectively conductive. In Figs. 3 and 4, as well as in Fig. 2, the valves a and b are assumed to be conductive during the first and second halves of the signal cycle respectively indicated by the left and right hand curve columns. Since the valves 0 and d are conductive during the half cycles in which the valves b and a are respectively conductive, the Fig. 3 curve is representing the anode current through the valve d is in the same column with the curve is. which represents the anode current through the valve a. Similarly, the curve 1': representing the anode current through the valve 0 is in the right hand column of Fig. 3 along with the curve in which represents the anode current flowing through the valve b. The anode currents flowing during the half cycles in which the valves are respectively conductive are all represented by similar upwardly convex curves. The currents. flowing through the valves 0 and d are equal in magnitude, since neither is affected by the signal voltage 6g. However, since the signal voltage'e; is in phase with the anode current'through the valve a, and is opposite in phase to the anode v current in the valve 22, the current in. in the valve 11 is larger, and the current b in the valve b is smaller, than the currents flowing through the valvesc and d. y

In Fig. 4, the uppermost curve 8g represents the signal voltage impressed on the control grids of the valves a and b, and is a duplicate of the curve a of Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, the curve ema represents the volta e drop in the resistor m produced by the current is of Fig. 3, and the curve Bod represents the voltage drop in the resistor 0, produced by the current is during the first half of the same cycle. Similarly, the curves 61m: and 60b represent the volta e drops in the resistors m and 0 respectively produced by the currents ie and it flowing through those resistors during the second half of the same cycle. The currents flowing through the resistor 112 when the valves a and c are respectively conductive tend to reduce the potential at the point r relative to the ground potential at the point s, and the corresponding potential drops represented by the. curves ema and emc are assumed to be negative voltages, and extend downwardly beneath the respective voltage zero lines oo of Fig. 4. Similarly, the currents flowing through the resistance 0 when the valves 2) and d are respectively conductive tend to raise the potential at the point t relative to the ground potential of the point s, and the corresponding potential drops are represented by curves 60d and Bob extending above the respectively zero voltage lines oo.

On the assumption that the resistances m and o are of the same magnitude, the voltage drops in those resistances will be proportional in magnitude to the currents represented by the Fig. 3' curves ia, ib, it and id. Thus the voltage ema will be larger and the voltage b will be smaller than each of the similar voltages emc and 60d. On the assumption made, the resultant or algebraic sum of the first half cycle voltages time. and 80d, and the resultant or algebraic sum of the second half cycle voltages emc and Cob, will each be negative voltages, as is indicated by the bottom curves ma+od and mc+ob in the two columns of Fig. 4. Thus the average potential of the point t is lower than the constant earth potential of the point .3 during both the first and second half cycles. A reversal in the phase of the signal 8g would make the voltage drops Gina. and Bob respectively smaller and larger than the voltages 6m and co. 1

With similar grid voltage values, the values of the said resultant voltages shown by the lowermost curves of Fig. 4 are substantially lower than the voltages em and 60 shown in Fig. 2. Moreover, as has been previously explained, the ripple voltage shown by the lowermost curve of Fig. 2 is a sinusoidal voltage of the same fundamental 60 cycle frequency as the signal passing to the amplifler valve F from the transformer E. The fundamental frequencyof the voltage collectively represented by the resultant voltages 6ma+od and emc+od of Fig. 4 is not 60 cycles, but is cycles. A ripple voltage of that frequency does not have the objectable effect on the performance of the apparatus, shown in Fig. 1, which would be created by a 60 cycle voltage ripple of the same average magnitude.

The phase sensitive rectifier apparatus AA shown in Fig. 5- differs from the apparatus A of Fig. 1 in that a voltage signal is impressed on the control grids of the valves 0 and d of Fig. 5 which is similar in frequency and proportional in magnitude, but is opposite in phase, to the voltage P by atransformer 30 instead of thecbiideriser 6 "Fig. 1; The transformer 3 0 is shown as comprising a primary winding 3| t e two secondary windings 32 and 33 The primary winding 3-] may have one terminal conhcte'd to the grounding aoneuetor yr; and may have its secdnd terminal connected tip the anode of t e amplifier valve 'G of Fig. 1 through a suitable isolating condenser. 'As shown, the conncted terminals of the secondary windings 32 and '33 are connected to ground. The second to m'inal of the winding '32 is connected to the control gridsfof 'th'e'valves d'a'nd b, and the second terminal of the winding 33 isconn'ected to the control grids of the valves c and d. The windifig sn32 and 33 areso arranged that the potential of the terniinal of the winding 32 connected to the' grids of the valves a and b is 180 out of phase with the potential of the terminal of the winding 33 connected to the grids of the valves c and d. The general operation of the circuit shown in 'Fig. 5 is like that of the circuit shown in Fig. 1, but is more eflicient. For example, when the current 'thro'ugh the valve it of Fig. 5 increases by a certain amount, the current through the valve 01 decreases by thesame amount, thus producing an output voltage be- .tween the points s and i which is about douhle 1the output voltage produced with the arrange- .ment shown in Fig. l for the same input signal.

As Fig. 1 makes apparent,- with the grid leak :r'e sist'or I cennected to the point r, a certain .asvmme trveiiists in the circuit, due to the fact athat'the output impedance of the preceding amplifie'r stage is "coupled to the circuit of the device .a by the coupling condenser 6'. For purposes of -.a'naly'sis, the output impedance of the second zalnpli'fier stage of Fig. 1 is indicated indotted lines in Fig. 6 as a resistor 41]. The impedance represented by theresistor lil i'sa source of current *di'stortionwhich can-cause ripple voltage but which is substantially compensated for in the modified phase sensitive rectifier AB shown in Fig/B. appreciate the d'istorting effect of the impedance represented by the resistor 40, and the manner in whichthat effect is compensated for in Fig. 6, account should be taken of the fact thatthe series connected resistor lfi, coupling condenser 6, and grid resistor? form a voltage divider and phase shifter connected across the resistor In the absence of any input signal, current flows through the valve aand develops a voltage drop across the resistor m every other half cycle. The portion of the voltage across the resistor m which is developed across the portion of the voltage divider formed by the series 'connected resistor [it] and condenser E, is applied to the control grids of the valves a and b. This results in a distortion of the current throughthe resistor m which prevents that current from being a pure halfesine wave when no inpu't signal is impressed on the control grids of the valves ens H In Fig. '93, the distorting effect ofthe voltage divider in parallel with the resistor m is compensated for by connectingjan analogous voltage divider consisting v of resistors f7 ag ari'd 4 6a and a co-nden'ser 5a across the resistor o. In Fig-'6; the control grids of the valves 0 andd are thus connected to fthe"point 1 through the resistor IaQand arelconnected tothe conductor ;I I thric iugh the resistor '40afi'ari'd condenser' fia; The Wants of the tsetse id and boiidiisi 6d sheiildfbe er al to the values "of resistor 1 and tenses-s n;- re pe'ct The valiieof the resistor a should alufdf the-resistance represented tor a-sclosely as possible. In prac' tag' es 'attained be the incmsien or the valves; t and jd in the phase sensitiveiectifier A'showfi Fig, 1. While, in faccordance with the ,provisiohs iii the statutes I have illustrated and described the best "form of embodiment of my invention new kngwn to it will be-apparent to those skilled in the rt 'tha-t'hang'es may e made in the rent of thefapparatusdisclos'ed without "departing mm the spiritof'iny invention as set forth mint-a pended claims, and that in some cases certain features or my invention may -be used tqadv'ahtage v without a corresponding use "of other res:

1 Q Having o described my invention, i "do la rn"as'new'anddesire to secure by setters Pat'- is v '1. I ifa jci cuit-netwoik including a phases v ri etifie 9 tr h n. jv' 'e tomprsm first and-second electronic valves each having an anqdefa cathode, "a control grid, atat-hode resistor andanou lit circuit'including said anode," cathode and c'athbde resistor, and means for passihgfcurrent t rough each valve "during pe ridds-alternatihg ith thoseduring which ear: r'ent'is passed through the other valve "the two cathode resistors being connected in series between the two cathodes and one-of s'amcathodes being connected :to ground, "and means for i-"rhpressin'g an alternating current signal on the grids of the two valves which has the same f r e quency "as. the intermittent "currents .ip'ass'ed through said'valves,"andis in phase with oneor the "other fof said currents, depending upon a condition of operation, the improved means for minimizing ripple voltage in said outputcircu-its comprising a third electronic valve having an anode connected to the anode of said second valve and, having a cathode connected to the cathode of said first valve, and a'fourth valve having an anodecqnnected to the anode f the first valveanda cathode connected to the bath o e th 99n Ye y '2 Ripple volt' ge minimizing means as speci fie'd'in 'cla f1, in which 'said' third and fourth valves havehohtrbl grids each connected to cathode iii the valve through the cathode re: sist'or of the valve. n 3. "Ripplevoltage "imfiimizmgmeans assbci fiediii cla m 1, in which s'aid third and'fiju h valves veeohtrksl grias, and which inclu mean fo'r hnp essing'asigrial on the 1as'tmn;

tio "similar in i'r'iagnitude and frequency but t'e'in phasetqthje 'signal'i'rnpressed an 2 li dsbii' e f 'ir "newc -ki'; eu m me e tive reqtinerof the imown type "coinprisirigffirst nd second valves.

riods alternating with those during which current is passed through the other valve, the two cathode resistors being connected in series between the two cathodes and one of said cathodes and one end of one of said cathode resistors being connected to ground, and means for impressing an alternating current signal on the grids of the two valves which has the same frequency as the intermittent currents passed through said valves, and is in phase with one or the other of said currents, depending upon a condition of operation, said last mentioned means including a first resistive device across which the alternating current signal is produced depending upon the condition of operation, a connection from one end of said first resistive device to the grounded end of said one cathode resistor, a connection from the other end of said first resistive device to the other end of said one cathode resistor including a first capacitive element and a first resistor in series, and a connection from the junction of said first capacitive element and said first resistor to the control grids of said two valves, the improved means for minimizing ripple voltage in said output circuit comprising a third electronic valve having an 10 anode connected to the anode of said second valve and having a cathode connected to the cathode of said first valve, a fourth valve having an anode connected to the anode of the first valve and a cathode connected to the cathode of the second valve, a second resistor connected from the junction of said two cathode resistors to the control grids of said third and fourth valves, and a second capacitive element and a second resistive device connected in series from the control grids of said third and fourth valves to the other end of the second of said cathode resistors, said second resistor, second capacitive element and second resistive device each having characteristics respectively approximating those of the first resistor, first capacitive element and first resistive device.

RUDOLE F. WILD.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Eberhardt Sept. 29, 1942 Number 

